I spent the weekend at our son’s house, caring for our granddaughter, Ella (5) and our grandson, Owen (6). On Friday, we went to Target, where I bought both children a Beyblade (their newest obsession). They already have quite a few, but I guess they’re all different (a rather strategic and brilliant marketing plan by Hasbro).

On Saturday, we went to Walmart to pick up a few things, where, naturally, we had to visit the toy section. Owen saw another Beyblade he just HAD to have. This time I asked how much money he had in his SPEND bank.

You have to understand how Owen’s bank works, or the rest of this story won’t make sense. He has a Dave Ramsey Smart Saver Bank which is divided into 3 sections; SPEND, SAVE, and GIVE. When Owen earns money, he divides his income equally among the categories. He can use his SPEND money for whatever he likes. When he has $10 in his SAVE category, he can move that to his SPEND category. The GIVE category is money that is given to church or spent on someone other than himself.

Back to Walmart. Owen said he only had $3 in his SPEND category. The Beyblade was $10. He knew that he had to have $7 more in his SPEND category before he could buy the toy. He was sad. He came up with a “deal for me to think about.” I would buy the toy, and he would send me the $10 when he earned it. Knowing his parents are teaching him not to borrow money, I reminded him of that principle. As much as I, his Grandmother, wanted to take the deal, I knew it wasn’t in his long-term best interest.

Owen took the disappointment well, but I could tell he was still thinking about the situation by the look of concentration on his face.

When we got back to the house, Owen brought his bank to me and said:

“Grandma, I have $3 in my SPEND category. I need to put $7 more in my SPEND category so I can buy the Beyblade. But I have $7 in my SAVE category. I would just have to put $3 in my SAVE category before I can spend it! “

Well, yes, that’s true! Personally, I’m not sure I would have thought of that. Maybe I just wasn’t as motivated as he was.

I don’t know what Owen will do with his life. He has so much potential. But I’m going to suggest that he write math word problems as a side hustle.